What is your opinion of using intramuscular (IM) injections of corticosteroids,such as triamcinolone acetonide, for seasonal allergies?
What is your opinion of using intramuscular (IM) injections of corticosteroids,such as triamcinolone acetonide, for seasonal allergies?
-David Araujo, MD
Merced, Calif
This practice should be avoided. Intramuscular triamcinolone acetonidecan last for 4 to 6 weeks in the body and can inhibit normal adrenalfunction. If the injection is given in hip fat tissue, it can cause subcutaneousfat necrosis.
Safe and effective low-dose topical nasal corticosteroids are nowavailable for first-line treatment of seasonal allergies. They can be used regularlyto control nasal symptoms for the entire pollen season without the adverseeffects seen with IM triamcinolone acetonide.
-Donald Pulver, Jr, MD
Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine
University of Rochester
Rochester, NY